Should RCI adopt this program?

[davy jones]

It is not something that I would pay for in most cases. The exception would be if the itinerary had a number of tender ports.

[champagne123]

You say that like it's a bad thing. Maybe I just misunderstand. As a D+ member, I get most of those perks. Why wouldn't I be upset if my loyalty benefits were for sale? There is discussion after discussion about RCCL not "valuing" C & A members. A FTTF system would just de-value those perks even further. Now, before you start flaming, my point is really that if RCCL de-values the loyalty program much more, there will be no more loyalty program. It also de-values the perks of a suite. If you can buy for $60 some of the suite perks, why, other than the room size, would someone pay the much higher price for a suite? I, personally, would not like to see this program. It isn't being selfish, it's just how I feel. I think as cruises start "selling" more and more things, it begins to really change the entire dynamics. First it was upscale dining, then drink packages, then ship tours, then what? Selling pre-boarding, sell access to the upper sun deck, sell a guaranteed deck lounger for the week. I liked it better when the only thing you could buy was drinks. I just see this as "cheapening" the product and experience. Just my humble opinion.

 

 

I am only Platinum, but I agree with everything you have stated. :)

[jonj]

Personally - my answer is no. RCCL already has so many extra charges that it is getting a bit ridiculous

[Debde]

Because that pushes other people waiting in line back. Your suite and your status gets you certain perks but for getting off the ship or waiting in line at Guest Services everyone should be the same.

 

I'm kind of thinking along the line that everything should not be the same if you are in the big office and there is a way to create more revenue. That is what it IS all about no matter how we, the consumer would like it to be.

 

just some thoughts-not on attack mode!!;)

Edited November 5, 2015 by Debde

[printingchick]

As someone mentioned, Carnival sells only a limited number of the FTTF packages, so it wouldn't severely impact cruisers who didn't purchase it. And the loyalty members still take priority over the FTTF holders, so it doesn't negatively impact them either.

 

I am Platinum on Royal and don't get the perks associated with the program that would be most advantageous in my mind. (The early access to the cabin, early luggage delivery and priority ship to shore tendering.)

 

I understand the nickel and diming concern, but I don't mind it when the extra-fee items are voluntary. I can PAY for Ben & Jerry's, or I can get FREE soft-serve by the pool. I can PAY to eat at the specialty restaurant, or I can eat FREE in the MDR or Windjammer. I like that these revenue generators help to keep the cruise fares more affordable and that we're not forced to pay for things we don't care that much about or wouldn't use.

[dixieva]

I am D+ and I don't get any of these benefits in the FTTF program. I get a lot of nice benefits but not these. So not sure I understand why some are saying they do get them.

 

My room is not ready as soon as I get on board to drop off luggage. I do not get priority tendering unless I have a shore excursion. I do not get early luggage delivery. I do not get a special line at Guest Services.

 

So I am just confused why some are saying they already get this stuff.

Edited November 5, 2015 by dixieva

[kerryincork]

Hi I recently cruised Carnival, just to let you know the FTTF have priority over ordinary cruisers, not those in the loyalty programs or suites, so depending on the size of the ship, there still could be hundreds of people in front of you. We didn't have FTTF but arrived early we boarded directly after FTTF. Speaking to others the real benefit seems to be if you turn up at the busiest time you skip to the front. I don't think I would bother with this really.

[papaflamingo]

I am D+ and I don't get any of these benefits in the FTTF program. I get a lot of nice benefits but not these. So not sure I understand why some are saying they do get them.

 

My room is not ready as soon as I get on board to drop off luggage. I do not get priority tendering unless I have a shore excursion. I do not get early luggage delivery. I do not get a special line at Guest Services.

 

So I am just confused why some are saying they already get this stuff.

 

Sure you do. You need to check your benefits. No one gets to drop off their luggage in the room early, but you get priority boarding, priority debarkation. If you go to the Concierge I believe you can get early tender tickets when tickets are in use. So basically what you'll get with a FTTF program is the ability to drop your bags off in your room. No one on RCCL has a priority line at Guest Services, but you have the use of two Concierges and usually they can help you with most problems. You get priority wait listing for dining and for shore excursions, and you get priority tickets for shows.

[Big_G]

You say that like it's a bad thing. Maybe I just misunderstand.

 

Yes you do. :D I was just pointing out fact and you're making my point so it's all good. ;)

[Charles4515]

My room is not ready as soon as I get on board to drop off luggage. I do not get priority tendering unless I have a shore excursion. I do not get early luggage delivery. I do not get a special line at Guest Services.

 

 

You do get priority tendering. Diamond and above. See the concierge if there are tender tickets.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Charles4515

[jenn6743]

My daughter and her fiance will be honeymooning aboard a Carnival cruise in May. (Don't flame me...it was the very BEST itinerary given their specific date requirements.) I purchased them "Faster to the Fun" for their cruise. I would LOVE it if Royal would offer something like that. For $60 for their six day cruise, both cabin occupants get the following perks:

 

• Priority boarding: Special line for checking in and screening.
  
• Cabin availability: They will be arriving early to the ship. This program guarantees their room will be ready for them when they board. No need to drag around their carry-on bags until 1PM.
  
• Express luggage delivery: Delivery of their luggage will expedited - reports indicate often within an hour of boarding.
  
• Priority tenders: If you book a private excursion at a tender port, it can be stressful trying to get to shore quickly enough. Those who purchase the FTTF program get to use priority tenders.
  
• Priority guest service access: There is a special phone number and a special line in the lobby to allow quick and easy access to guest services.
  

There are a few others, but these were the biggies. I'm sure some folks would call it nickel and diming and others may feel it dilutes the cache of the loyalty and suite perks, but I think it's a great idea!

 

 

 

Faster to the Fun is AMAZING !!!!! They will enjoy having it. It reduces the stress of getting on the ship, and the fact that you can go straight to room is so nice.

[Cabansail]

Sounds like it would be good for some people. It's affordable for those who think those things are important.

 

The best thing is that it would get up the nose of the Loyalty Snobs :D

[Retired LEO]

I am D+ and I don't get any of these benefits in the FTTF program. I get a lot of nice benefits but not these. So not sure I understand why some are saying they do get them.

 

My room is not ready as soon as I get on board to drop off luggage. I do not get priority tendering unless I have a shore excursion. I do not get early luggage delivery. I do not get a special line at Guest Services.

 

So I am just confused why some are saying they already get this stuff.

 

For priority tendering just see the concierge. He/She will escort you past the line to the front and put you on. We were once on the 1st tender to Coco Cay.

We rode over with the crew before the passenger tenders began running.

[John&LaLa]

I am D+ and I don't get any of these benefits in the FTTF program. I get a lot of nice benefits but not these. So not sure I understand why some are saying they do get them.

 

My room is not ready as soon as I get on board to drop off luggage. I do not get priority tendering unless I have a shore excursion. I do not get early luggage delivery. I do not get a special line at Guest Services.

 

So I am just confused why some are saying they already get this stuff.

 

Depends on the ship, Freedom has a priority GS line for D and above. I live in Cocoa Beach, so I don't arrive before 12:30 and head straight to my cabin.

[DarthGrady]

Sure. And while they're at it they could also adopt their "Brilliant" loyalty program.

As a former frequent Carnival customer, I found this funny! Their watering down of the loyalty program is what pushed me to RCI. Hopefully Royal doesn't tread down the same path.

[Zou Bisou Bisou]

Money talks. I have always said you can upgrade your cruise in many ways by just spending the extra $$. It doesn't have to be a ship sponsored program. You don't need status or a suite to get the best. Some are willing to do it and others not. To each their own.

[DonnaK]

On my 2 Princess cruises, we had immediate access to our cabins. While many thought this was a big advantage over other cruiselines, we have a different opinion. The cabin had not been completely turned-over, and there were still remnants of the previous occupants. For example, the bathroom hadn't been completely cleaned, there were hairs in the bed, and the balcony furniture was very sticky and had dried food spills. When we mentioned this to the steward, he said that all would be cleaned while we were at dinner (and it was), but it was kind of gross to be in the cabin during the afternoon.

 

Before someone says that this is not the norm on those ships/lines that allow immediate access, I want to stress that this occurred on two different cruises, and it occurred in multiple cabins with different stewards (we were a large group of friends dispersed around the ship, and it was the same in all of our cabins)

 

I have never entered an RCI or a Celebrity cabin that wasn't cleaned, sanitized and totally ready to receive new occupants. To me, it is worth the "inconvenience" of waiting until 1 or 2pm to have a cabin that is completely turned over and clean.

 

Therefore, I would not pay for immediate access, as I do not see it as an upgraded experience. Even using it just to drop off carry-ons interferes with the steward's ability to do their jobs uninterrupted and thoroughly clean the rooms. Plus, they prop all the doors open on turn-around day, which to me is a security issue if I am dropping off my carry-on.

Edited November 6, 2015 by DonnaK

[Charles4515]

I have never entered an RCI or a Celebrity cabin that wasn't cleaned, sanitized and totally ready to receive new occupants. To me, it is worth the "inconvenience" of waiting until 1 or 2pm to have a cabin that is completely turned over and clean.

 

Therefore, I would not pay for immediate access, as I do not see it as an upgraded experience. Even using it just to drop off carry-ons interferes with the steward's ability to do their jobs uninterrupted and thoroughly clean the rooms. Plus, they prop all the doors open on turn-around day, which to me is a security issue if I am dropping off my carry-on.

 

Never had to wait after 1:00 on Royal or Celebrity . Eleven is the earliest I ever boarded. Usually 11 is the earliest I leave the hotel. So given the time it takes to get from the hotel, port security and registration the most time I have had to wait for the room to be ready is an hour and a half, average time is an hour. So I don't see paying extra to get in the room right away or the other stuff to be worth it. Seems silly. But if they offer it and some passengers want to give away their money, it does not bother me.

Edited November 6, 2015 by Charles4515

[Boozebabe]

We purchased FTTF on our last Carnival cruise last January. For me it was worth every penny. I have some mobility issues and to be able to access my cabin upon boarding the ship was such a relief. I totally understand why many would not be interested but for the few who need it, believe me it is a Godsend. Ten years ago I had no need for it either but now I do. People please don't be judgmental of others needs and wants if it doesn't cost you anything. You may be in their situation one day.

[CaribSailor]

Wow...surprisingly hostile responses.

 

Yes, you can get to the port early and board (assuming your pre-cruise travel plans allow), but that means you're dragging around your carry-on bag for the next two hours, while you try to grab lunch in the Windjammer and explore the ship. I love the idea of being able to stash the bag in the cabin.

 

And why would anyone object to an option to pay extra to get an early tender to shore? Many of us save money by booking private excursions, and this option would be really helpful.

 

I actually think these completely voluntary, and imaginative revenue-generating ideas are a benefit to all of us. Not all passengers will be interested. However, whatever revenue is generated allows the line to either offer more or cut fares.

 

Royal is my preferred cruise line at this point. It's also my daughter's. But this Carnival cruise offered a really good itinerary at a value price and it met their very restrictive dates to align with their wedding.

 

Favoring a particular brand does not exclude me from finding things that other brands do well. I thought this program was one of those things. Clearly there are those who strongly disagree.

 

 

Yes.. Notice most of the hostile responses come from CA royalty, aka diamonds ...they don't like the idea because it would diminish their years of "investing" in cruising. Lol. You will see these same people complaining on any thread that involves diamond member benefits.. Quite entertaining and laughable.

 

It's the usual suspects who can't stand the idea of someone going on their first cruise and would be able to enjoy some of the perks that these loyal members had to "invest for years" to gain. Kudos to RC's marketing department though - they did an excellent job of suckering these people to believe that investing in cruising is a wise investment... Haha

Edited November 6, 2015 by CaribSailor

[John&LaLa]

Never had to wait after 1:00 on Royal or Celebrity . Eleven is the earliest I ever boarded. Usually 11 is the earliest I leave the hotel. So given the time it takes to get from the hotel, port security and registration the most time I have had to wait for the room to be ready is an hour and a half, average time is an hour. So I don't see paying extra to get in the room right away or the other stuff to be worth it. Seems silly. But if they offer it and some passengers want to give away their money, it does not bother me.

 

Port Canaveral ships aren't ready until 1:30. Sometimes a little earlier, but no guarantees.

 

Freedom and Enchantment

Edited November 6, 2015 by John&LaLa

[cot427]

As the OP said, Royal is my preferred cruise line (although Norwegian is certainly getting up there too.) However, I've been on a few Carnival cruises because of price and schedule and I did purchase FTTF on my latest one out of NYC. I think the price has raised since a couple of years ago, but I thought it was worth it. We used the priority embarkation, debarkation (by far the fastest debark ever) as well as the priority tenders.

 

I CHOSE to do this because I was not a loyal member and was not offered these perks for free.

 

As a loyalist, do I think Royal offering them to non-loyalists is infringing on my benefits? Certainly not. As long as they also continue to offer them to loyalists, I don't see a problem.

[LMaxwell]

I would be fine if they offered the program.

 

I wouldn't pay for it, but others would.

 

One of my gripes is going to the Windjammer with carry on luggage. on NCL I discovered they have a lounge where you can check carry on bags and they have staff there watching the luggage. That's a 5 cent solution to a million dollar problem.

[Fouremco]

It sounds like a great program, especially for those with mobility issues or with young children in tow. DW and I can manage our carry on baggage, but I know that it can be a real problem for some.

 

We normally cruise with HAL, and love having our cabin available when we board, but I wouldn't necessarily pay an extra $60 for the privilege. However, we also do almost exclusively DIY shore excursions or private tours, so a guaranteed early tender has great appeal. So, yes, we'd probably buy the FTTF package if it was available.

[John&LaLa]

It sounds like a great program, especially for those with mobility issues or with young children in tow. DW and I can manage our carry on baggage, but I know that it can be a real problem for some.

 

We normally cruise with HAL, and love having our cabin available when we board, but I wouldn't necessarily pay an extra $60 for the privilege. However, we also do almost exclusively DIY shore excursions or private tours, so a guaranteed early tender has great appeal. So, yes, we'd probably buy the FTTF package if it was available.

 

Many ships rarely tender